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Minnesota GOP Chairman Sutton Resigns

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Republican Party Chairman Tony Sutton has abruptly resigned.

Sutton tweeted his resignation, saying it took effect at 5 p.m. Friday. He says he feels it's best for his family to move on.

In a letter to Republican activists, Sutton says he feels "a great sense of accomplishment" with the party's election victories in 2010. Republicans captured both the Minnesota House and Senate, but lost the governorship when Democrat Mark Dayton narrowly defeated Republican Tom Emmer.

Sutton now says he wishes the party had not been involved in the gubernatorial recount. In his letter, he says he "should have said no and endured the political heat."

The state GOP has been struggling with debt. According to a Star Tribune report in late October, the party remains $533,000 in the red.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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